Click the tartan to view its entry in The Scottish Registers of Tartans which includes registration details, restrictions, and registrant information.
Unregistered tartans may link to one of the web's online design environments for similar information.
For any questions about reproduction of designs or weaving of these tartans, please contact the registrant directly or via this website.
Scots Festival (Queen Mary)
Best wishes to all athletes and highland dancers competing this weekend at the Queen Mary Scots Festival in Long Beach, California!
The Royal Mail Ship Queen Mary sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line. Built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland, she was one of the grandest luxury liners on the ocean, carrying royalty, celebrities, and dignitaries in her early years. During WWII she was painted a camouflaging grey colour and as the "Grey Ghost" was one of the largest and fastest troopships to sail, capable of transporting up to 16,000 servicemen at 30 knots. After retiring from active service, her last cruise took her to the port at Long Beach, California where she is now an iconic landmark and centerpiece for the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
This tartan was designed for the famous Royal Mail Ship (RMS), now preserved at Long Beach, California. Since 1967, the ship has been a famous tourist landmark and center for Scottish Festivals and Highland Games which takes place this weekend.
​
The RMS Queen Mary sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line – known as Cunard-White Star Line when the vessel entered service and was was built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland.
​
Legend has it that the board of directors at Cunard had decided to name the ship the Queen Victoria, which would have been in keeping with the tradition of Cunard ships having the "ia" suffix. As per protocol, the Cunard directors went to ask for King George's blessing of the ship's proposed name saying, "We have decided to name our new ship after England's greatest Queen," meaning Queen Victoria, the King's Grandmother. The King is reported to have stated, "My wife (Queen Mary) will be delighted that you are naming the ship after her."
​
For three years after her maiden voyage, the Queen Mary was the grandest ocean liner in the world carrying celebrities, royalty and dignitaries.
​
During World War II, she was transformed into a troopship, painted a camouflaging grey color and stripped of her luxurious amenities. Dubbed the "Grey Ghost" because of her stealth and stark color, the Queen Mary was the largest and fastest troopship to sail, capable of transporting as many as 16,000 troops at 30 knots.
After the end of the war, the Queen Mary was again refitted to resume luxury passenger service, but by 1965 the entire Cunard fleet was operating at a loss and they decided to retire and sell the legendary Queen Mary. Her last cruise took her to the port at Long Beach, California where she is now an iconic landmark.
​
For more about the history of the Queen Mary, click the vintage photo.